Urethral Stricture Disease

If you’re dealing with unexplained urinary tract problems or signs of urethral stricture disease, urologists at UMass Memorial Health can help. As one of the largest and most experienced urology programs in the region, we routinely diagnose and treat advanced urinary tract disorders, including urethral strictures. 

UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester offers advanced treatments, including complex urethral reconstruction options that help you achieve lasting relief. We are the only program in Central Massachusetts with these capabilities. You receive services from urologists with advanced fellowship training who offer exceptional care with outstanding results. 

What Is Urethral Stricture Disease?  

Your urethra is a thin tube attached to your bladder that carries urine out of your body. In men, the urethra is long and passes through the prostate and penis. It also carries semen during ejaculation. In women, the urethra is shorter.

Urethral stricture disease develops when scar tissue forms in the urethra, causing it to narrow, which makes it difficult to urinate. Urethral stricture disease may lead to urinary dysfunction, kidney stone disease, prostatitis and other problems. When you choose UMass Memorial, you have access to sophisticated therapies to lower the risk of these complications. 

What Causes Urethral Stricture Disease? 

The most common causes of urethral stricture disease include: 

• Chronic inflammation
• Kidney stone removal
• Prostate cancer surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Traumatic injuries
• Urinary catheterization

Urethral Stricture Disease Symptoms

Symptoms of a urethral stricture may include: 

• Abdominal pain
• Blood in your urine or semen
• Difficulty urinating or ejaculating
• Pain during urination or ejaculation
• Slow or weak urine stream
• Urinary tract infection
• Urinary urgency or frequency

Standard Treatments for Urethral Stricture Disease Treatment

Surgery is the most common treatment for urethral stricture disease. UMass Memorial Medical Center urologists have extensive experience performing the latest procedures. Whenever possible, we recommend a minimally invasive approach to help you recover faster and with less pain. We also specialize in surgical techniques that preserve urinary and sexual function.  

Treatment depends on the location of scar tissue in your urethra and how much of your urethra is affected. We may recommend: 

• Urethral dilation: A urologist uses thin rods or a catheter (flexible tube) with an inflated balloon to widen your urethra. Dilation usually needs to be repeated regularly.
• Urethrotomy: We insert a special tool called a cystoscope into your urethra and cut the scar tissue using a blade or laser to widen your urethra.

Complex Urethral Reconstruction

Complex reconstruction may be necessary for severe narrowing or strictures that come back after dilation or urethrotomy. Highly experienced surgeons use evidence-based techniques to remove or bypass strictures.

Urethral reconstructive procedures available at UMass Memorial Medical Center include: 

• Urethroplasty: A urologist removes the scarred part of your urethra. They reconnect the two remaining ends or use tissue from elsewhere in your body to reconstruct the tube. Urethroplasty is for large strictures that we can’t address with dilation or urethrotomy.
• Bladder neck advancement: This option is for strictures near where the bladder connects to the urethra (bladder neck). Urologists reposition the neck creating a new, permanent pathway for urine to flow. We are among a small number of Massachusetts programs offering it.